Hello Springfield! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Circus roots exhibit, paint the street, and freedom night + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Community support takes shape: United Way of Central Illinois announced 21 grant recipients, pledging over $1.3 million annually through 2029 for Sangamon and Menard counties, focusing on youth opportunity, financial security, health, and resiliency -- see the full grant list.
Local history on display: Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum now features a new exhibit on Petersburg’s circus roots, with photographs, artifacts, and an interview with descendants. The exhibit runs through December 8 -- see the circus exhibit.
School upgrades on deck: District 186 will soon add construction at Springfield’s Southeast High School and a fieldhouse with a six-lane, 200-meter track to its calendar, after architect Kevin Handy updated the school board -- see the school plans.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Grow like a pro: If your tomatoes, houseplants, or, uh, “herbs” need a glow-up this week, Kreations Indoor Gardening Center has the soils, nutrients, lights, and straight-shooting advice to get them thriving. Friendly local pros help you pick the right setup so your plants stop judging you and start growing.
Spare your weekend rut: Whether your form is pro-level or pure chaos, Legends Entertainment is the easy pick when you need low-stakes fun that actually gets everyone off the couch. Grab a lane, talk a little friendly trash, and let the week slide away with a few frames and plenty of laughs.
Stretch your legs here: Whether you need a quick nature fix or a lazy lap with coffee, Washington Park delivers with shady trails, two lagoons that attract ducks and geese, the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon chiming overhead, and the Botanical Garden’s blooms. It’s the perfect low-effort, high-serenity reset right in town.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎬 Movie Day: Rescuers Down Under @ Tri-City Public Library District (Buffalo) | Wednesday (6/24) at 2:00 PM – Take a breather and settle in for The Rescuers Down Under, a 1990, G-rated, 77-minute sprint through the Aussie outback with heroic mice, a kidnapped kid, and a golden eagle. Nostalgia for you, wide-eyed wonder for the kids, air conditioning for everyone.
🗽 Freedom Night @ Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – After-hours at the Lincoln Tomb, with a guided peek at the upper deck’s Images and Insights, feels like Springfield’s classiest nightcap. Brass trio out front, history upstairs, interpretive talk inside if stairs are not your thing, then everyone out before the cemetery gets cranky.
🎨 Paint a Pot @ Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – If you've been meaning to swap doomscrolling for something you can actually sip from, here you go. Paint a mug, bowl, or vase at the Dana Thomas House with Springfield potter Rosie, all supplies and guidance, then firing and pickup. Finally, something you'll actually use.
🪗 Levitt AMP SPI Ruben Moreno and The Zydeco Re-Evolution @ Y Block | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Free, family-friendly tunes on the Governor’s Mansion lawn, because your backyard never booked zydeco. Ruben Moreno & The Zydeco Re-Evolution deliver accordion, washboard, and two-step-ready Gulf Coast grit, The Smokestacks bring psychedelic funk. Bring chairs, blankets, and picnics, or grab food and drinks there.
🎶 Campfire Tales: Lincoln's America Through Story and Song @ Old State Capitol | Friday (6/26) at 11:00 AM – Fridays during History Comes Alive on the Old State Capitol lawn mean campfire tales and toe-tappers about Lincoln's America, history that pairs well with a folding chair and an unhurried mood. It's free, no reservations, and the stories come without pop quizzes or log-splitting.
🎨 Paint the Street @ SAA Collective | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – If you’ve ever wanted to legally paint Washington Street, here’s your moment. Claim a 6-by-6 canvas on downtown asphalt, get a bucket of washable tempera, a swag bag, and a T-shirt, then channel Illinois’ Route 66 Centennial in a themed square contest, bragging rights included.
🐴 Illinois State Fair Western Horse Show @ Illinois State Fairgrounds | Monday (6/29) at 8:00 AM – Rolling in with $60,000 in added prize money, the Illinois State Fair’s Western Horse Show is the kind of real horsepower that does not guzzle gas. You get 4 AQHA shows, plus All Breed, NSBA, and Land of Lincoln added money classes, and bragging rights.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Springfield report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 38%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. West southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 83°F — Low: 65°F — Precip: 54%
A slight chance of rain showers before 7am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. This house is wildThis rare 1800s-meets-modern estate spans more than 6 scenic acres with a private pond and beautifully manicured grounds. Historic details like crown molding and refined flooring pair with a stylish updated kitchen, a spacious primary suite, and a bright Florida room. With multiple garages, a workshop, and a huge bonus space, it offers plenty of room to play.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
